295.020.  Definitions. — 1.  The term "board" shall mean the state board of mediation.

  2.  The term "collective bargaining" shall be understood to embody the philosophy of bargaining by employees through representatives of their own choosing, and shall include the right of representatives of employees' units to be consulted and to bargain upon the exceptional as well as the routine wages, hours, rules, and working conditions.

  3.  The term "employee" shall refer to anyone in the service of another, actually engaged in or connected with the operation of any public utility throughout the state.

  4.  The term "labor dispute" shall involve any controversy between employer and employees as to hours, wages, and working conditions.  The fact that employees have amicable relations with their employers shall not preclude the existence of a dispute among them concerning their representative for collective bargaining purposes.

  5.  The term "person" means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, municipal corporation, company, association, or joint-stock association; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.

  6.  The term "public utility" shall include any person engaged in the business of producing, distributing, selling or otherwise furnishing electric light or power, heat, gas, steam, water, sewer service, transportation excepting railroads, communication, or any one or more of them to the people of Missouri.

  7.  The term "representative" means any person or persons, labor union, organization, or corporation designated either by a utility or group of utilities or by its or their employees to act or do for them.